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Copyrighted  by  MARY  I,,\MIIBKT 
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"  In  solemn  state  the  walls  of  La  Rabida  view 
Historic  Palos  and  its  Bay  of  lucent  blue." 


' 


'I7EI 


N  solemn  state  the  walls  of  La  Rabida  view 
.Historic  Palos  and  its  Bay  of  lucent  blue. 

In  Years  long  since  there  flashed  from  out  the  visaged  frown 
Of  that  old  Sentinel  above  the  ancient  town, 

A  scintillating  beam  of  fertilizing  light 

To  re-create  a  world  from  depths  of  chaosed  night 

And  forth,  immortal  ray  on  vivifying  wing 
Forever  make  Rabida  seem  -a  living  thing ! 

A  pilgrim,  travel-stained,  approached  the  convent  door 
And  to  his  knock  the  startled  echoes  answered  o'er. 

With  sad,  dejected  mien,  and  face  devoid  of  joy, 
He  asked  that  drink  and  food  be  given  to  his  boy. 


IS  snow-white  locks  he  bared  unto  the  balmy  air 
And  stood  in  patient,  dull  abandon  of  despair. 

Juan  Perez,  Prior,  ceased  his  slow  and  measured  tread 
To  gaze  upon  the  Stranger's  sorrow-lowered  head. 

In  wonder  viewed  the  shabby  guise  and  humble  fate, 
That  seemed  ill-fitted  to  that  form  of  lofty  state. 

But  greater  wonder  and  surprise  within  him  grew 
To  hear  the  story  told — so  fanciful,  so  new. 

The  Friar  listened  patiently  unto  its  close 
Rejoicing  that  Rabida  heard  the  Stranger's  woes ; 

And  with  prophetic  clearness  through  the  cycles  saw 
New  mysteries  unfold  by  God's  deep  hidden  law. 


^P"  Br 


HE  psychic  force  of  life,  the  physical  deposed, 
And  in  a  moment's  briefness  secrecies  disclosed. 

The  pierceless  cloud  that  holds  futurity  concealed 
Before  the  soul  uprolled  —  a  Vision  stood  revealed. 

The  fabled  world  beyond  the  ken  of  learned  mind 
In  verdant  beauty  rose,  a  marvel  to  mankind. 


Its  blue  of  Heaven  rivalling  Andalusia's  skies, 
Luxuriance  of  fruitage;  birds  of  Paradise. 

Vast  groves  of  palms,  wild  blossoms  clust'ring  crag  and  tree, 
With  leaves  scarce  stirred  by  languid  breezes  from  the  sea. 

He  gazed  into  the  years  beyond  the  bound  of  men 
Saw  argosies  unloading  ;   saw  the  ages  when 


"  With  sad,  dejected  mien,  and  face  devoid  of  joy, 
He  asked  that  food  and  drink  be  given  to  his  boy." 


mighty  people  strong  with  sinew,  full  of  grace 
Upheld  the  Cross,  the  standard  of  a  Christian  race. 

With  joy  he  saw  the  triumph  and  renown  of  Spain 
Revert  to  Heaven's  glory  and  his  Master's  gain  ! 

Oh  crowning  hope  !     This  promise  more  resplendent  shines 
Thau  all  the  glittering  wealth  of  gold  and  jeweled   mines  ; 

From  out  these  far  spice  Isles — the  Stranger's  land  of  gold 
A  breath  of  tropic  perfume  over  Perez  rolled. 

It  kissed  his  wrinkled  forehead,  leaving  for  all  time 
The  sweetness  of  the  Vision  of  that  lovely  clime  ! 

"Tis  true  !  "  he  said,  "  Aye — grander,  broader  than  it  seems, 
Thy  truths  no  fancies  wild,  but  God-inspired  dreams ! 


IVIE::TY 


OW  tell  me  whence  tliou  comest  Stranger — what  thy  name?" 
"  I  am  Columbus — and  from  Genoa  I  came. 

Self-exiled  from  my  loved,  my  native  land.     Upon 

My  plans  she  frowned,  where  wealth  and  lineage  had  won  !  " 

"  Renew  thy  courage,  friend,  be  not  with  grief  opprest, 
For  La  Rabida  bids  thee  welcome.     Be  our  guest ! 


Gain  strength  and  hope  in  pray'r.  The  Lord  hath  sent  thee  here, 
Unfold  thy  plans;   the  destined  hour  may  be  near!  " 

The  cloister  pulse  was  thrilled  with  quickened  flow.  New  life 
Ran  through  the  air  and  firm  expectancy  was  rife. 

A  wise  assemblage  gathered  at  the  Friar's  call, 
With  grave  attention  listened  to  the  projects  all 


•     VII 


EVIEWED.     The  visionary  proof,  belief  and  hope, 
With  which  the  sage  philosophers  refused  to  cope, 

Were  by  those  humble  Councillors  endowed  with  birth, 
To  bless  Rabida  and  electrify  the  earth  ! 

The  Cause  approved,  the  faith  of  Perez  firm  and  strong, 
He  swift  resolved  unto  the  Queen  appeal  the  wrong, 


And  at  the  royal  court  appear  its  advocate ; 
Advising  that  Columbus  at  Rabida  wait. 

But  smothered  passions  fired  at  last  by  many  blows, 
His  soul  to  madness  stung  by  unforgotten  woes 

And  aching  wounds,  of  plans  deferred  from  day  to  day, 
In  anger  scorned  this  new  proposal  of  delay. 


. 


"  Then  I  will  pledge  my  jewels — make  the  Cause  my  own  ! 
My  royal  Crown's — Queen  Isabella's  of  Castile!  " 


.   V    *< 

o 


YE,  wait !     But  wait !      'Tis  ever  so,  "  he  fiercel}1  cried, 
"  I've  waited  long  an  urgent  beggar — crushed  my  pride  ; 

A  miserable  wretch  in  yonder  Spanish  court, 

Have  long  endured  their  learned  sneers,  have  been  their  sport, 

"  Endured  the  silly  platitudes  of  ev'ry  school ; 
A  shabby  mendicant — a  butt  for  ev'ry  fool. 

Self-curbed,  self-conquered,  vowed  that  there  I  should  remain 
Until  my  God-appointed  mission  proved  in  vain. 


"  I  lingered  in  Cordova  till  the  autumn  sped, 
Until  the  Spanish  soldiers  rang  with  martial  tread 

A  clanging  knell  of  unpropitious  destiny. 
Undaunted  by  delay,  then  turned  impatiently 


-  • 


IX 


O  Salamanca  where  Mendoza  gained  at  last 

The  king  to  hear.     The  cautious  Ferdinand  me  passed 

Unto  the  Council  of  St.  Stephens — learned  Ring, 
Where  sage  philosophers  gave  prejudice  full  swing  ! 

Again  returned  unto  Cordova — waited  there 
Decision  of  my  suit.     Confusion  filled  the  air, 

The  bustling  of  the  arming  troops  was  all  around, 

And  in  the  storming  tempest  there,  my  hopes  were  drowned. 

"  And  thence  to  Malaga,  on  summons  from  the  court, 
In  haste  I  went  to  learn  the  council's  sage  report. 

Amid  the  silk  pavilions,  noble  chivalry 

In  glist'ning  semi-circles  ranging  to  the  sea 


. 


' 


;  And  saw  Juan  Perez  praying — praying  Heaven's  aid 
With  outstretched  arms  .'     Thus  praying-  watch  the  squadron  fade .'" 


wandered,  wandered  like  a  sad  forsaken  wraith  ; 
Deterred  by  wars  procrastination's  dying  faith, 

Found  royal  promises  and  royal  interest  vain, 
But  humble  satellite  I  followed  in  its  train. 

Thus  ever  parleyed  royal  craft,  yet  ever  rid 
Itself  of  vital  action.     Ev'ry  summons  hid 

Diplomacied  evasion  with  its  bitter  sting 

Of  disappointed  hope.     Again  the  watchful  King 

"  With  cunning  shrewdness  summoned  nie  unto  Seville, 
My  cause  again  deferred  while  'gainst  fierce  Boabdil 

I  fought  the  Moors.     In  brilliant  feasts  of  victory, 
The  revelling  Court  could  spare  no  audience  to  me. 


. 
. 


AV    .-     .- 


ETURNED  unto  Cordova  lingered  day  by  day 
Until  my  soul  incensed  demanded,  Yea!  or  Nay! 

As  still  again  grim  war's  vibrations  filled  the  air, 
The  Council  sent  adverse  report.     In  bold  despair 

O  hear  my  final  fate  I  went  unto  Seville, 

Not  lost — not  won — the  Court  prevaricating  still 


Advised  a  long  delay,  until  the  wars  abate — 

The  Crown  by  war  impoverished  enterprise  must  wait ! 

"And  this  the  stinted  meed,  this  wretched  starving  dole, 
For  which  I  bore  contumely,  mortified  my  soul, 

For  which  I  humbly  craved  and  pleaded  seven  years — 

Sad  years,  that  warped  my  manhood  with  their  wasting  fears. 

^•^^k   .^L*.  ^k  M  a^L  4 


.•  xir   : 


O  longer  bid  me  wait!      I  scorn  proposed  appeal ! 
I  go  to  France  to  there  inflame  the  flagging  zeal 

For  Heaven's  holy  cause !    Already  glimmers  thence 
A  beacon  rift  of  hope  in  promised  audience  !  " 

The  Friar's  heart  up-leaped  with  patriotic  fears, 

His  spirit  yearned  for  action — burst  the  cloistered  years  ; 

His  mule  swift  saddling,  forth  at  midnight  sought  the  Queen 
Through  conquered  Moorish  cities  slumbering  serene 

But  newly  wrested  from  the  Crescent  rule,  near  spent, 
He  rode  to  Santa  Fe  whence  gleamed  the  royal  tent. 

Though  deeply  busied  with  Granada's  final  siege 
Juan  Perez  found  the  Queen  to  former  friendship  liege. 


' A  lover  in  thy  curling  arms,  oh  passioned  sea, 
Columbus  7f>n?rf  fhv  hrnrt  ni  itiif rhino-  wvsftrv** 


" 


GL..S 


IS  strong,  impassioned  eloquence  new  fervor  woke; 
The  lofty,  honest  purpose,  honest  words  he  spoke 

Flashed  forth  electric  with  a  God-inspired  art, 
And  flamed  the  Spanish  ardor  of  the  royal  heart. 

Thus  won,  again  Columbus  summoned  by  the  Queen, 
With  freshened  hope  returned.     He  saw  that  brilliant  scene 

When  Spain  resumed  usurped  dominion  of  her  land, 
Saw  Boabdil's  defeat  with  all  his  Moorish  band. 


From  famed  Alhambra  saw  the  hated  Crescent  torn, 
And  in  its  place  the  holy  Cross  exultant  borne. 

Amid  the  wild  rejoicing  and  magnificence 

Of  dazzling  arms  arrayed  in  warrior  excellence, 


HE  show  of  regal  pomp,  of  bards  and  prelacy, 
Of  rustling  silken  robes  and  Spanish  chivalry 

Columbus  sadly  roamed,  dejected  and  obscure, 

111  brooked  delay  though  schooled  to  suffer  and  endure. 

When  Triumph's  festal  echoes  slowly  died  away, 
Then  royalty  to  foreign  enterprise  gave  sway. 

What  dreamer  this,  who  came  imperious  and  proud  ? 
This  stately  claimant  standing  haughty  and  uncowed 

Demanding  noble  title,  place  and  royal  fee 
His  regal  magnitude  astounding  royalty  ? 

This  applicant,  who  stood  majestic  heeding  not 
De  Talavera's  frown  ;  who  ceded  not  a  jot 


' 


'  Fair  land !    Partaker  of  thy  vigils  and  thy  cares, 
Full  consecrated  by  the  incense  of  thy  pray'rs  .'  " 


.;~> 


F  princely  claim  nor  of  his  coveted  renown 
Unto  indignant  prelate  or  astonished  Crown. 

His  proud  and  bold  insistence  royal  favor  checked, 
Again  Columbus  left  the  Court,  ambition  wrecked. 

His  bosom  choked  with  waves  of  fierce,  resentful  pride, 
His  aspirations  crushed ;  his  schemes  and  claims  denied. 


St.  Angel  loth  to  lose  the  brilliant  enterprise 
Implored  the  queenly  heart  so  womanly,  so  wise, 

Uphold  the  Spanish  honor,  Spanish  faith  and  fame 
To  crown  the  regal  glory  of  her  woman's  name  ! 

The  Marchioness  de  Moya's  fervent  ardor  broke 

In  passioned  speech.     With  breath  of  vital  flame  she  spoke 


. 


F  Perez,  one  whose  wish  was  sacred  to  their  heart. 
The  Cause  of  Perez  urged  with  all  a  woman's  art, 

Until  the  Queen  was  moved,  her  zealous  soul  ablaze 
Swift  spoke :    "  Send  forth  our  courier — make  no  delays, 

Recall  that  strange  and  proud  Columbus  to  our  throne 
And  say  his  claims  and  enterprise  we  make  our  own." 

Re-called,  in  vague  expectancy,  returned  again  ; 
The  wary  Ferdinand  yet  cold,  still  urged  the  drain 

Of  Spanish  gold  for  war's  demands  ;  still  cautious,  terse 
Advised  delay.     The  fateful  measure  thus  adverse 

A  painful  brief  suspense,  with  trembling  thought  replete 
Its  sadness  cast.     The  doom  of  ultimate  defeat 


"  The  magic  trophies  from  the  land  of  liopic  skies, 
A  full  return— the  glory  of  his  aged  eyes  !  " 


.-     .•    XVII 


AS  banished  by  a  woman's  voice  in  ringing  tone— 

"  Then  I  will  pledge  my  jewels — make  the  Cause  my  own  ! 

My  royal  Crown's — Queen  Isabella's  of  Castile  ! " 

Oh  voice,  that  broke  the  spell  so  fraught  with  woe  or  weal ! 

Oh  woman's  vision  clear  !     Oh  woman's  noble  heart ! 
Thy  gen'rous  soul  that  moment  played  its  noblest  part. 

Immortal  moment  to  a  loyal  legion  dear, 

The  proudest,  loftiest,  of  all  thy  grand  career! 

Rabida's  joy  !     The  grand  old  heart  Te  Deums  sung ! 
Rabida's  triumph  loud  o'er  waiting  Palos  rung. 

Mute  face !   that  traced  each  preparation  day  by  day, 
Until  the  caravels  were  anchored  in  the  Bay. 


.•     :    X  I'll  I    : 


YE,  grand  old  face!  that  watching  long  and  faithfully, 
Saw  souls  defy  the  terrors  of  an  unknown  sea, 

Equipped  with  armament  so  perilous  and  frail 

Saw  Spain's  ensign  unfurled  above  the  flapping  sail. 

And  saw  Juan  Perez  praying — praying  Heaven's  aid 

With  outstretched  arms  !     Thus  praying  watch  the  squadron   fade! 


The  sun  kissed  liug'ringly,  the  sails  and  water  blue, 
And  o'er  Rabida's  face  its  flashing  glory  threw  ! 

The  white  wings  rising,  falling,  fluttered  out  of  sight, 
Enfolded  in  the  shadows  of  the  falling  night. 

A  lover  in  thy  curling  arms,  oh  passioned  Sea, 
Columbus  wooed  thy  heart  of  witching  mystery. 


"  His  sighs  and  benisons  in  priestly  power  fell 
Athwart  the  raging  Sea,  and  in  the  prison  cell !  " 


.-     .-     XIX     :    l 


N  faith,  or  siren  calm,  or  tempest  rage  of  change 

His  cry  "  Still  forward  !    Forward  !  "  o'er  the  trackless  range, 

Thy  warm  spice  laden  breath  bore  to  his  waiting  ears 
Faint  whisperings  of  Islands  in  thy  dimpling  spheres. 

Thy  coy,  deluding  moods,  refusing  to  be  won, 

Were  vanquished  by  his  fervid  cry  "  Sail  on  !     Sail  on !  " 

And  all  the  beauties  of  thy  bosom's  mystery, 
Thou  yielded  to  thy  dauntless  wooer,  passioned  Sea, 

And  in  thy  cradling  arms  he  rested  like  a  child ; 
As  to  and  fro  thou  bore  him  o'er  the  waters  wild. 

By  Love  and  Heaven  bound  thy  terrors  to  withhold, 
The  while  our  High  Priest  wed  the  new  world  to  the  old  ! 


H,  many  evenings  as  the  sun  dipt  in  the  west, 
Juan  Perez  watched  the  white  ships  cleave  the  ocean's  crest. 

And  many  mornings  ere  the  matin  bells  would  chime, 
His  beads  were  numbered  to  the  ocean's  beating  rhyme. 

And  many  noon-times  when  the  Angelus  was  rung, 
And  when  in  solemn  strains  the  vesper  hymn  was  sung, 


An  intermingling  chord  flew  out  upon  the  air 

And  passed  to  Heaven,  trembling  with  the  Friar's  pray'r ! 

A  pray'r  of  benediction  on  the  chosen  band- 
Predestined  instruments  of  Heaven's  hidden  hand  ! 

A  pray'r  of  supplication  for  the  destiny 

Of  lives  rich  freighted  with  a  precious  prophecy  ! 


"  All  !  many  evenings  as  the  sun  dipt  in  the  west, 
Juan  Perez  watched  the  while  ships  cleave  the  ocean's  crest!  " 


ND  oft  the  solemn  night  watch  Perez  kept  alone, 

While  storm  wings  beat  the  panes  and  lashed  the  walls  of  stone, 

In  ecstasy  of  pray'r  oft  burst  the  thralling  mesh, 
That  held  his  Spirit  prison'd  in  its  mortal  flesh. 

And  God-ward  soaring  stayed  each  ill-stared  evil  pow'r,- 
A  favored  Mediator  in  each  fateful  hour  ! 


Thus  ever  watching — watching  patiently  alone, 
Each  breath  a  winged  pray'r  nnto  his  Master's  throne ! 

Ah,  faithful  Guardian  full  meriting  indeed 
The  royal  measure  of  his  spirtual  meed. 

The  magic  trophies  from  the  land  of  tropic  skies, 
A  full  return — the  glory  of  his  aged  eyes  ! 


.•    .-   .\.\'/l 


^^r^^^^^^B  ^P 

UT  fairer  than  the  fancies  floating  from  each  tongue, 
And  dearer  than  the  gold  upon  the  Old  World  flung, 


Was  that  fair  Christian  land,  the  daughter  of  the  years, 
The  glory  of  whose  promise  moved  his  soul  to  tears  ! 

His  Nation's  triumph  voiced  the  triumph  of  his  soul  ; 
Adown  the  centuries  the  deathless  echoes  roll  ! 


His  sighs  and  benisons  in  priestly  power  fell 
Athwart  the  raging  Sea,  and  in  the  prison  cell. 

Juan  Perez  !     Loyal  friend  !     Exponent  of  God's  hand  ! 
Thy  blessing  fructifies  each  promise  of  our  land. 


Fair  land  !     Partaker  of  thy  vigils  and  thy  cares, 
Full  consecrated  by  the  incense  of  thy  pray'rs  ! 


. 


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* 


